Oral care implement

US10477952B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Colgate-Palmolive Company · US

Inventors

• Eduardo Jimenez · Manalapan, US
• Kenneth Waguespack · New Brunswick, US
• Douglas Hohlbein · Hopewell, US
• Anthony Baxter · New York, US
• Marisol Rodriguez · Brooklyn, US
• Alberto Mantilla · New York, US
• Ellis Junior Smith · Belmont, US
• Chad Leighton Helland · Knoxville, US
• Dario Alejandro Narvaez Lopez · North Bergen, US
• Mauricio Issa · New York, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 9, 2015
• Grant date: Nov 19, 2019
• Expiry date: Dec 30, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A46B2200/1066
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

An oral care implement in one embodiment includes an elongated body comprising a head portion supporting plurality of tooth cleaning elements and a handle portion. The tooth cleaning elements are disposed on longitudinally extending bristle carrier sections hingedly coupled together about a common pivot axis. The axis may be formed by a flexible web. A slidable actuator mounted in the handle portion is mechanically coupled to the bristle carrier assembly by an elongated operating rod. Moving the actuator in opposing rearward and forward directions opens or folds the bristles on the carriers outwards or inwards respectively about the common pivot axis. In the folded position, the bristles are configured for interdental cleaning of the teeth. In the open or extended position, the bristles are configured for general purpose cleaning of the teeth.